Aniplex Posts Record Sales as Studio Profits Stall
The earnings gap between Aniplex and its studios illustrates a persistent industry pattern where parent rightsholding companies capture profit while production studios face rising costs.
Reporting from 1 sources: Animenomics.
Aniplex reported record net sales of ¥212 billion for the fiscal year ending March 2026, a 45 percent increase, driven by Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle and Kokuho. However, subsidiary studios CloverWorks and Boundary posted net losses, while A-1 Pictures returned to profit after a loss the prior year. Egg Firm's net profit fell by more than 50 percent.
Aniplex's record sales of ¥212 billion (US$1.3 billion) came from a 45 percent revenue jump and a 62 percent operating profit increase, according to a government gazette filing. The box office success of Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle and Kokuho drove the gains, along with Fate Grand/Order's tenth anniversary boosting gaming revenue above expectations.
But the picture at Aniplex's owned studios is mixed. CloverWorks and Boundary each reported net losses for the year. A-1 Pictures posted a net profit after a loss the previous year. Even Myriagon Studio, which participated in the Kokuho production committee, reported a net loss. Egg Firm, acquired by Aniplex earlier this year, saw its net profit drop by more than half.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 1 cited source below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.
Sources
- Animenomics Aniplex earnings soar as studio profits stall